School Council Update

Investing in Our Girls' Education

As School Council begins planning next year's budget, we find ourselves having some increasingly difficult conversations.

Not about what exciting new opportunities we can provide for our students, but about what we may have to reduce, postpone, or remove if voluntary contribution income continues to decline.

As parents, we all understand the pressures of rising living costs. Groceries, utilities, mortgages, rent, insurance, and fuel have all increased significantly in recent years. We know many families are making careful decisions about household spending, and we genuinely appreciate that every family faces different circumstances.

At the same time, we believe it is important to understand what voluntary contributions make possible for our daughters.

Government funding provides the essential foundations required to operate a school. It funds teachers, core programs and day-to-day operations. However, many of the services, resources, and enhancements that help transform a school experience from simply functional to truly supportive, engaging, and enriching depend on additional community support.

One example where voluntary contributions are utilised is for our first aid and student wellbeing team. The Department funds schools at a first aid-trained level, but our school community has chosen to invest in a higher level of care through Registered Nurses and additional qualified staff. This means expert support is available for students managing complex medical conditions, mental health challenges, allergies, diabetes, asthma, injuries, and other health concerns throughout the school day.

Voluntary contributions also support learning resources, technology, curriculum enrichment opportunities and many of the everyday enhancements that students may take for granted but which contribute significantly to their educational experience.

Importantly, these benefits are available to every student. They help create a learning environment that is safer, more responsive, more engaging, and better equipped to meet the needs of a modern secondary school community.

When School Council considers next year's budget, we are guided by one question: What best supports our students? Increasingly, however, we must also ask: What can we afford to continue providing?

No family should ever feel pressured if circumstances make a contribution difficult. Voluntary contributions are exactly that—voluntary. But for families who are in a position to contribute, we ask you to consider the collective impact.

The voluntary contribution that we and other public schools seek each year help provide opportunities and support that benefit every girl who walks through our gates.

Our daughters only experience secondary school once. The investments we make today—in their wellbeing, learning environment, and opportunities—have a lasting impact.

On behalf of the School Council, thank you to every family who supports our school through either the voluntary contribution program or through the wider volunteering of your time or service. Your contribution helps ensure that our school remains not only a place where students are educated, but a place where they can truly thrive.

Rosa Ferrari